By Junex Doronio
MANILA — Who’s afraid of the feisty Vice President Sara Duterte?
Apparently, not Parañaque City’s 2nd district Representative Gus Tambunting who chairs the House committee that scrutinized the franchise of Sonshine Media Network International (SMNI) of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, founding leader of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC).
On Wednesday (13 March 2024), Tambunting denied that Quiboloy — wanted by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for alleged “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion, and sex trafficking of children, conspiracy, and bulk cash smuggling” — is being given unfair treatment at the lower chamber.
The Parañaque City lawmaker maintained that Quiboloy is being accorded due process, contrary to the claim of VP Sara that the self-proclaimed “Appointed Son of God” is being “given unfair treatment.”
“We respect her (VP Duterte) opinion, but our topic here in Congress is the SMNI franchise,” said Tambunting, who chairs the House Committee on Legislative Franchises.
SMNI is the broadcasting arm of KOJC, although SMNI lawyers claimed that Quiboloy is not involved in its operations.
Tambunting’s committee has voted to revoke the franchise of SMNI —formally known as Swara Sug Media Corporation — over its alleged willful dissemination of false information and the transfer of ownership without congressional approval.
“This franchise was given by Congress. Kongreso rin po lang ang puwedeng bumawi po nito at iyon naman pong proseso, and as far as due process is concerned, dito po sa hearing namin, six months has been given, five months of hearing, six hearings were conducted and palagay ko mas maraming sinabi ang kampo ni SMNI kesa po sa mga Congressmen,” Tambunting explained.
He added: “Lahat po ng kanilang paliwanag ay ating pinakinggan at pinagbigyan po natin lahat ng katanungan nila.”
Quiboloy, a close friend of the Duterte political family, has been cited in contempt for skipping the hearings despite a subpoena against him.
Last Friday (8 March 2024), SMNI announced former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s appointment as KOJC administrator.
(el Amigo/MNM)
